Kalaburagi is set to take a significant step forward in its tennis journey as the city prepares to host its biggest-ever international women’s tennis tournament, the ITF W35 Kalaburagi, scheduled to take place from 1 to 8 March 2026 at the Chandrashekar Patil Stadium.
The USD 30,000 tournament, part of the ITF Women’s World Tennis Tour governed by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), marks Kalaburagi’s first professional women’s event at the W35 level.
The tournament will feature a 32-player singles main draw, preceded by a 32-player qualifying draw beginning on 1 March, along with a 16-team doubles draw. Main draw matches are set to commence from 3 March. As an ITF W35-category competition, the event offers valuable WTA ranking points and serves as an important platform for players aiming to progress to higher-tier competitions on the professional circuit, including events on the WTA Tour.
A competitive international field representing 11 countries is expected to participate, with players such as Thailand’s Achisa Chanta (World No. 443) and Netherlands’ Jasmijn Gimbrere (World No. 431) among those confirmed in the entry list. The presence of players ranked within the top 500 is set to ensure a high standard of competition across both singles and doubles draws throughout the week.
The Indian challenge will be led by rising star Vaishnavi Adkar, who is coming off a landmark performance at last week’s KPB Trust ITF Women’s Open W100 in Bengaluru. The 21-year-old climbed to India’s No. 2 ranking following her run to the singles final, becoming the first Indian woman since Sania Mirza in 2009 to reach the final of an ITF W100-level or higher tournament.
Adkar will be joined in the main draw by Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty and Ankita Raina, both of whom also delivered notable performances in Bengaluru last week. The Indian contingent further includes Zeel Desai, Akanksha Dileep Nitture, Shruti Ahlawat and Sonal Patil, ensuring strong home representation in the singles draw.
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Karnataka has demonstrated its capacity to successfully stage international tennis events in recent months, having hosted the Davis Cup Qualifiers, the Billie Jean King Cup Play-offs, the Bengaluru Open ATP Challenger 125 and the KPB Trust ITF Women’s Open (W100), the highest-value women’s ITF tournament in the country. The addition of the ITF W35 Kalaburagi to the state’s calendar further strengthens its growing reputation as a key destination for professional tennis in India.
Speaking about the tournament, Priyank Kharge, Hon’ble Minister for IT, BT and RDPR, Government of Karnataka, District Incharge Minister and Senior Vice President of the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA), highlighted the significance of hosting the event in Kalaburagi.
“Hosting the W35 in Kalaburagi is an important step in expanding access to international-level competition within the state. This tournament provides players with valuable ranking points and exposure, while giving young athletes in the region the opportunity to witness professional tennis up close. We believe events like this play a crucial role in strengthening the competitive structure in India and inspiring the next generation to pursue the sport with greater confidence and ambition,” he said.
He further noted that previous tennis events hosted in Kalaburagi had been embraced by the local community and had encouraged greater participation in sport among youngsters. The Kalaburagi District Administration, led by Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Taranum, has worked closely with the KSLTA to ensure all logistical arrangements for the event are in place.
Kalaburagi’s inclusion on the 2026 ITF calendar also underscores the continued expansion of India’s presence on the international women’s tennis circuit. The city has previously staged ITF Women’s USD 10,000 events in 2012 and in two successive editions in 2015. The upcoming W35 tournament represents a substantial upgrade in both category and prize money, further enhancing Kalaburagi’s position on the global women’s tennis landscape.
With a competitive international field, strong Indian representation and valuable ranking points on offer, the ITF W35 Kalaburagi promises a week of high-quality tennis as the city prepares to welcome professional women’s tennis at its highest-ever level.
